WASHINGTON — Technology allowing cosmetics makers to test for allergic reactions to their products without controversial animal trials is in the works and could be in use by next year.
The technology developed by Hurel Corp., with funding from cosmetics maker L’Oreal, is designed to replace tests on mice and guinea pigs used to predict skin reactions from drugs and cosmetics. The device uses laboratory- grown human skin cells to simulate the body’s allergic response to foreign chemicals.
Preliminary experiments show promise, but rigorous tests are still needed to determine the technology’s accuracy.
The standard method for testing allergic reactions involves applying chemicals to the ears of mice, which are later killed and dissected for study. North Brunswick, N.J.-based Hurel said it hopes to eliminate the need for such tests, in an announcement with L’Oreal, which provided funding for the test.
